Student financial aid programs are intended to provide you assistance if you do not have the necessary financial resources to meet your educational costs. Most students qualify for some type of assistance. This can be through grants, loans, work-study and scholarships. Only United States citizens and eligible noncitizens can receive financial aid. For resources that recognize academic achievement, refer to the information on scholarships.

Information about all state and federal aid programs and institutional aid programs is available from Miguel Rahiotis at the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Student Affairs Building, Room SA 102, 760-768-5502. Information about the available programs as well as the academic standards that a student must maintain to remain eligible for such aid can be accessed at www.sdsu.edu/financialaid. Here you will also find step by step instructions on How to Apply

Applying for Aid

If you want to be considered for all types of state and federal financial aid you should apply as soon after January 1 as possible by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Since new California grant program applicants must apply by March 2, we strongly encourage you to apply by this date.

The FAFSA is all you need to begin the application process. You may apply by using FAFSA on the Web at http://www.fafsa.gov.

Applications are reviewed and aid is awarded throughout the year based on available funding. To receive first priority evaluation of your eligibility for all financial aid programs, complete the FAFSA by March 2 and, by April 1, submit all financial aid documents requested. An application and documents submitted after these dates will receive second priority evaluation and aid awarded based on available funding at the time.

E-Mail and the Internet

The SDSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will communicate with you through e-mail and the Internet. They use these two ways to correspond about documentation needed, disbursement holds, and awards. Go to the SDSU WebPortal at https://sunspot.sdsu.edu/portal/ and select E-mail/Address Update to make sure that you have a valid e-mail address on record. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships home page and secure Website, AidLink, have been enhanced to streamline the application and award process for SDSU students. Use AidLink at http://starter.sdsu.edu/fao/to view your personal financial aid information, download and print documents you need to submit, activate your student loan, and more.